We started getting a few showers after sunset. A couple hours ago, we had a moderately heavy batch of rain accompanied by some gusts, but nothing alarming. We just had a short, light shower but right now it's pretty calm and stars are out. Will keep you posted.

We battened down the hatches so to speak before going to bed last night. We just had some rain in the night but nothing really to speak about. This morning the wind is picking up a bit and we have had some showers, it is a very funny feeling just waiting. I hope none of the islands get too damaged and that here in Dominica we do not have too much rain. The schools are all officially closed today. It looks like a day for a cook up, bake some bread and have a soup on the go for lunch. Wishing that everyone stays safe.

From St Lucia:Overcast, just a few showersBy Susan Beckwith <suebeckwith123 at gmail.com>Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2016 06:37:25 -0400Its very still and dark here this morning, completely overcast. We had a few showers in the night but nothing much to speak of. Its a really eery feeling, no one is around at all and all schools are closed.I see that the centre of the storm is still east of Barbados and we are to expect bad weather today so I will update as the day progresses.

From Barbados:97LBy Peter Allen <stilettocruises at yahoo.com>Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2016 10:48:13 +0000 (UTC)It's 6.30am here in Barbados, centre seems to be just east north east of us based on radar but not much in the way of bad weather.Winds are calm and we've had light rain throught the night possibly some distant thunder.That's it so far really.

The tropical wave that will cross the Lesser Antilles will increase and should move to the storm stage quickly. The prefecture calls the population to prepare themselves and their home. New orders will be given late in the afternoon.

"There are 60 to 80 percent risk of having difficult conditions in Martinique," according to Jean-Noël Degrace, regional director of weather France. Martinique actually comes to vigilance 'Orange cyclone. " What does that mean in practice? Pointing on the Lesser Antilles, the tropical wave which is currently 800 km southeast of our island is likely to strengthen first into a tropical depression and then tropical storm (she would be so appointed in Matthew). First episode of rain and wind Wednesday morning. Second episode more intense on Wednesday afternoon, with winds of 80 to 100 km/h, sometimes 150 km/h from time to time and this will continue until Thursday. Waves of at least 5 meters to dig in the St. Lucia channel. What should do? For now, the prefecture calls for the preparation of the population (see box). The tropical stars and the Express of the Islands ceased their rotations. Any public demonstration may be cancelled. Furthermore, weather-France will continue its observations. An American plane Hurricane Hunter is currently evaluating the phenomenon. New decisions will be made this afternoon by the prefect concerning collective action (schools, recreation centers, etc.) Find a lot of information in your edition of morning: what are the steps taken by the prefecture? What precautions to take? Why this phenomenon especially strengthens? With what trajectory? When we talk of storm, cyclone, Hurricane?

The prefecture of the Martinique has decided the closure of all schools, crèches, airy centers (etc) on Wednesday because of the tropical wave that comes close to the island. The alert Orange ("be prepared") remains maintained.

All schools, crèches, airy centers (etc...) will remain closed on Wednesday, decided the prefecture tonight at 6 p.m. because of the tropical wave approaching Martinique.For now, the economic activity is not affected, but regular points of the situation will be carried out by the services of the State according to the evolution of the situation. This Tuesday, 27 September, at 6 p.m., the alert Orange ("be prepared") remains.

1st MartiniquePublished on 28/09/2016 at 07:26, last updated on 09/28/2016 at 07:27

This Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 05:59, France weather services maintain Martinique to the level of orange vigilance in anticipation of the passage of the hurricane phenomenon at mid-day. Schools and day care centers are closed and public events are cancelled.

Current situation:"On Wednesday morning (September 28), the tropical wave is better organized and its Center is poorly defined: it is located about 300 km from Martinique, off the coast of Barbados. It is moving West-North-West. That night, northeast wind strengthened to 50 km/h on average and 90 mph in gusts. He accompanies lines of rain sweeping quickly our island without giving significant accumulated time: 10 to 20 mm last 6 hours".

Forecasts:"Although there is a lot of uncertainty on this disturbance, the probability remains strong so that this wave is changing very soon in depression and tropical storm on the way or just after the Caribbean arc. A Center, more or less well-defined, could pass between St. Vincent and Martinique around mid-day.

As a result, it is always possible to have on Martinique, from the end of the morning/mid-day, winds of is that reinforce then turn Southeast with forces from 70 to 90 km/h on average and gusts between 100 and 120 km/h, more locally on the exposed terrain, a sea which became strong under the action of wind ", but without Hurricane swell, especially in channels, with waves average around 4 meters and the maximum waves more than 6 meters, heavy intense and cumulative rain that can last until Thursday morning by giving totals of 150 to 200 liters per meter locally".

Observed data:Observed winds: 40-50 km/h in average wind and maximum gusts between 70 and 90 km / h. sea: medium-sized waves of 2 m 50, max to 4 meters in the channel of Saint Lucia. Rain: rollups estimated at the radar in 6 hours between 5 and 20 mm.

We are currently experiencing a lot of wind coming in heavy gusts. We have plenty of bamboo down and the top of a tree on the lawn. Looking at the satellite photographs, Dominica is more in the path of Mathew although at the moment it looks like Martinique will bare more of the brunt. This system could be with us for quite a few more hours. The good thing so far is that we still have power and internet long may it last. We hope all the islands do not have too much damage and everyone stays safe.

So far so good..So it has become TS Matthew.. right at us with it passing a tad North of Saint Lucia. Or at least that is the prediction.So far from this morning it has been relatively dry with a few light showers and overcast with hardly any wind so far

Currently it is heavily overcast no actual rainfall at this time at 342m altitude.

From this morning the CEWN (Caribbean Emergency and Weather Net) has been active on 3.815 Mhz and from 8 Am on 7.162 Mhz

We are all just waiting and hoping it will move along nice a quick...

Here monitoring 145.530 Mhz 7.162 Mhz, 2.815 Mhz and scan on all close by repeaters on vhf inclusive of the marine channels

The rain got pretty heavy for a short period but we're in a lull now with just a light drizzle and the wind has calmed down considerably. It's still overcast and overall it's quite dark but the clouds aren't as dense as before.

although we are well North of the center, it is getting quite windy and rainy here in St Maarten. Frequent squalls are coming in.This is our web cam at the airport. You have to disable adblock to view.http://www.mahobeachcam.com/

at the airport they are reporting Wind 21 mph from the East/Northeast with higher gusts